PS3 controller Vs. PS4 Controller

[Bullstomp]

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Side-by-side: PS4 gamepad vs PS3 gamepad In Depth Compare the PS4 controller with its PS3 predecessor in this photo face-off

 

By Matt Swider   22 hrs ago

 

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PlayStation gamers are in for a DualShock of a lifetime

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There's no question about it, E3 2013 was a win for Sony. In addition to finally showing off the PS4's hardware and dominating Microsoft when it came to price and features, the company improved upon its older-gen controller tenfold.

The DualShock 4 gamepad is better than the PS3 controller by leaps-and-bounds. It's so much better that we may like it more than the Xbox One controller and its "40 innovations" over the already time-tested Xbox 360 gamepad.

To get a better perspective of why we're all for the DualShock 4, we brought along our DualShock 3 controller for a side-by-side photoshoot.

Front and center: touchpad

The most obvious change between the DualShock 4 and DualShock 3 is the new touchpad, which rests at the top of the PS4 controller.

This 2-inch wide, clickable slick spot supports two points of touch and smartphone-like swiping and pinch-to-zoom gestures.

Developers are still tinkering with uses for this mouse-like multitouch, experimenting with everything from inventory management to AI control.

It's certainly new technology that PS3 developers didn't have to think about last generation, and Xbox One game makers won't have the opportunity to take advantage of when the Xbox One launches in November.

 

PS4's sticks were so comfortable, we sent the PS3 gamepad to the background From analog stinks to analog sticks

When we first grabbed the PS4 controller, the other alteration that grabbed our attention was the concave analog sticks. With divots in their center and raised rims around the top, the new right and left joysticks kept our thumbs in place during game demos.

This differs from the DualShock 3 controller, which features comparatively uncomfortable concave analog nubs and always caused our thumbs to easily move off-center.

Just as important, but less obvious to the naked eye, is the fact that the DualShock 4 controller's analog sticks are spaced further apart ever so slightly.

It's difficult to discern just what the extra space between the two sticks amounts to, but that added sliver of distance makes your thumb's reach less of a strain and the controller much more comfortable this time around.

 

Notice anything? Start and select are missing Farewell, start and select

Hello, share and options. These new ancillary buttons replace start and select, which have been standard buttons since the first PlayStation console.

But with a new generation comes new functionality and altered placement. These buttons have been pushed further left and right on the controller instead of dead center like on PS3.

Also making room for the touchpad in the center is the PS button, which has been relocated further down the controller. It rests below the new, still mysterious mono speaker.

The remainder of the DualShock 4 controller's front side remains the same, with a familiar D-Pad on the left and four face buttons on the right.

 

The L2 and R2 triggers have been redesigned Top of its game: Head-and-shoulders better

To say the PS4 controller is head-and-shoulders better than the PS3 controller would be driving right at one of its biggest improvements: the shoulder buttons.

Sony had the right idea in making the PS3's L1 and R2 shoulder triggers analog so that gamers could feel as if they were stepping on a gas pedal or holding down a gun's firing pin at different degrees.

But their concave, sloping-downward design made slippage an all-too-common problem.

Pointer fingers can now rest easy, as Sony reversed the trigger design by creating concave dips, taking a cue from the Xbox 360's left and right shoulder triggers.

The L1 and L2 buttons are slightly altered, too, and all of the shoulder buttons are stamped with L1, L2, R1, R2, instead of PS3's letter-less numbering system.

 

The PS4 gamepad is so light... it has a light bar Light bar lighting the way

Being able to tell which player you are on PS4 vs PS3 is done in much more next-gen fashion thanks to the DualShock 4 controller's light bar.

The light bar's three LEDs, which can illuminate in various colors, replace PS4's four tiny red LEDs that were effective, but not very flashy.

Besides player identification, the light bar can interact with the PlayStation Eye and change patterns during gameplay to deliver messages of low health and minor damage.

Like the touchpad, we're taking a wait-and-see approach on how developers use the lightbar when PS4 launches this holiday.

Charges even when PS4 is asleep

Both the PS4 and PS3 controllers feature a microUSB port to recharge their lithium-ion batteries.

The ports are in the same exact location at the top, although Sony covered up the DualShock 4 micro USB with a security cable during E3. This ensured that the controller stayed powered during long demos sessions and that no one took it home with them.

Nevertheless, we discovered one difference between the PS4 and PS4 controller's battery: DualShock 4 can be charged even when its console is in sleep mode.

That's a relief because no one wants to charge their game-essential controller battery when their system is on.

 

Included headset makes for easier online strategizing Getting to the bottom of PS3's mistakes

The bottom of the DualShock 4 controller isn't as exciting, but it does feature a stereo headset jack built into the gamepad.

That's something PS3 designers didn't think about, even though Xbox 360 had one all along.

It gets better. Sony announced that the PS4 console will be bundled with a mono headset that gamers can use for communicating with fellow online gamers.

That may encourage owners of Sony's next-generation machine to actually use voice chat during games like Call of Duty more so than today's mostly silent PS3 online matchups.

 

The exciting undersides of the PS3 and PS4 DualShock controllers Getting a handle on things

Another reason the PlayStation 4 gamepad is more comfortable than its predecessor is because it has slightly larger handles that are more ergonomic.

Plain and simple, the DualShock 4 doesn't feel as cramped.

Take a PS3 controller in your hand and you'll notice that gripping it can be a tense experience. This is especially true with hours-on-end gameplay. Loosen that grip and that's how holding a PS4 controller feels.

Playing a PS4 game using the DualShock 4 controller is a much more relaxing experience, one that rivals what Microsoft has been doing for Xbox in more ways than One.

 

 

Pretty cool article . . .another reason to be excited about PS4

 

[Mr_MovieMan29]

It always feels like I am alone when I say this, but I really like the PS3 controller.....I am glad to see the new PS4 controller is very functional though.

[xVolloxx]

Looks awesome ! !

[dj_illmatic]

I love the look of the new PS4 controller. Of course, I reserve my final feelings about it until after I've used i. However, it's looking really good. Release day can't get here soon enough.

[Myers]

Love all the changes to the PS4 controller

[BigPete7978]

I am happy that the PS4 controller is a lot bigger. I always felt the Dualshock 1, 2, and 3 controllers were too small IMO. The Dualshock 4 looks a lot bigger. Can't wait for the PS4 so I can try out the controller myself. 

[Tomato]

The ps4s controller looks like it can give you much better grip and the triggers look a lot better, however all that can change as soon as I start to actually play with it. 

[Parker]

I think the PlayStation 4 controller looks very good. I've always been a huge fan of the DualShock line but they have never really changed and this one looks like a logical upgrade that keeps all the great things about the DualShock while improving on the things that weren't perfect. I can't wait to finally feel it for myself. 

 

 

Parker

[Azaan60]

It always feels like I am alone when I say this, but I really like the PS3 controller.....I am glad to see the new PS4 controller is very functional though.

Same here

[Syphon_Filter]

I like the PS4 controller as it looks better and specially the touch screen.

[Wolvie_181]

I like the PS4 controller.

 

I like the changes to the shoulder buttons (great for FPSs & racing games)

[Chambers35]

At first I wasn't sure, but now I definitely think the PS4 pad looks better

Although I am a little concerned that I'm going to be able to see the light bar while playing games and it's going to annoy me

[Matthew_Banfield]

This is such a good upgrade, the introduction of the new sticks, triggers and a headset jack are my favourite installments... xbox won the battle of last gen's controller IMO, but this time around there is little to choose between them, apart from the ps4 touchpad... only time will tell to see if that works?

[REDSHIRT64]

The Dualshock is the greatest controller ever made! But the advances with the new controller for the PS4 seem logical and it looks pretty awesome as well! 

[IceArrow98]

ps4 controller

[Bullstomp]

I am in love with the way the analog sticks are set up on top and the L2/R2 trigger buttons, but I will admit it will take some getting used to not having the start/select buttons.

[SkyMarshall_Arts]

Hopefully this controller will fix the travesty that is the DualShock, because man does it suck compared to the one 360 got. But those triggers sure look like they are made for human hands this time around. I can hope at least.

Edited June 26, 2013 by SkyMarshall_Arts

[Guest]

The controller looks very comfortable for playing long hours. And that light is awesome, but hopefully its not going to heat up the controller.... cause it always suck to hold something warm and hot for many hours...

[griffthedragoon]

The controller looks very comfortable for playing long hours. And that light is awesome, but hopefully its not going to heat up the controller.... cause it always suck to hold something warm and hot for many hours...

That's not what she said

 

But the ps4 controller looks ok but I will hold my feeling in check till I actually am holding it in my hand... for a long period of time...

[Guest]

That's not what she said

 

But the ps4 controller looks ok but I will hold my feeling in check till I actually am holding it in my hand... for a long period of time...

 

haha, grift.... where you been lately, havent seen u on these forums lately...

[Sushi_Combo]

So excited! Can't wait to finally try it out on launch

[Artemisthemp]

Look like PS4 will take my RAzer BlackShark headset

[DEMON]

At first, I didn't like it, and then someone compared it to the Gamecube controller, made it look a whole lot better to me then. lol

Looking at those pictures, its not actually that bigger than the PS3 controller.. hopefully it has a bit more weight in it.. PS3 controller is really light, but not as heavy feeling as the Xbox 360 controller is and a good battery life like the PS3 controllers, if it has the battery life of a Xbox 360 controller its going to be annoying >_>

[RileyCola]

Although I am a little concerned that I'm going to be able to see the light bar while playing games and it's going to annoy me

word. At this point I'm sure sony will have a setting or an option to turn off/ turn it down. they've been on a roll.

[daniel_flavia]

Cant wait to get my hands on the PS4!!! 

 

Platinum trophy for Sony!!

 

The Sega Dreamcast controler was the worst by far!!!

Edited July 5, 2013 by daniel_flavia